10 Most Famous Swords in History
There are two competing schools of thought in the world of academia. One is that swords were first created by blacksmiths in Damascus, who used their skills to forge weapons for the local military. The other is that swords originated with nomadic metalworkers from southern Russia who came north to sell their wares. 

Evidence supports both theories, and the argument has led to no resolution. It's a matter of debate whether the famous swords of the Middle Ages came from Damascus or faraway Novgorod. 

The most outstanding experts in the field are widely invested in each narrative. It's clear, however, that there definitely were real swords made for a variety of military purposes during that time period. There are several examples discovered around Europe and Asia that suggest oriental influences were present before the introduction of Arabic steel to Europe.

Famous Historical Swords

It's not just the sharp edge that makes a sword deadly. A blade has to be revered for its design, crafted with the intent of killing another person, and fashioned from good warrior steel. Most importantly, it has to have a name that blazes brightly in the annals of history.

No list of famous swords can omit Excalibur or Durandal, but there are many other historic blades worth mentioning as well. This list of the 10 most popular swords in history takes a look at legendary weapons from around the world.

10. Cortana, Oakenfold's Sword

The blade wielded by Theseus as part of his twelve labors was legendary, but the sword with which he cut off the head of Medusa was even more famous. 

The Gorgon's decapitated head gave birth to Pegasus and Chrysaor, who went on to become King Poseidon's challenge to Perseus. So great was the fear that Medusa inspired that her severed head came to be seen as an object of worship by some Greeks, who used it as a talisman against evil.

9. The Sword of Rhydderch Hael

Rhydderch Hael was such a skilled smith that he was offered the position of the chief blacksmith to King Arthur. He refused, however, and went on to become not just a smith but also a champion for the Welsh people. 

His main weapon in battle was the sword that came to bear his name: Rhydderch Hael. Its power is so great that it has been said to take on life when it first touches blood, making it more effective than most swords against even heavily armored foes.

8. The Sword in the Stone

King Arthur is already well known for Excalibur, but the sword he pulled from a stone was also legendary. 

King Arthur Excalibur Sword

When he wielded this blade against his childhood rival, Kay, it was so effective that it left Kay bleeding to death, and no one ever figured out how to release the sword again once Arthur had removed it. In fact, the only person who ever figured out how to release it was Sir Ector's son, Wart, who grew up to become King Arthur himself.

7. The Sword of Goujian

The Hyrcania region of Persia gained fame when its king sent a mighty army into battle against King Goujian of Yue. 

Goujian cut down the Persian army with a single blow, but in doing so fell to his own sword, which was not simply a simple weapon but an object that drew energy from the depths of the cosmos. The swordsmen who used this blade became known as "Charioteers of the Winged Horse", and they were renowned throughout Persia and beyond.

6. Arondight

The Seeker of Darkness is said to have wielded an awesome sword called Arondight, whose name meant "the glowing terror". The sword has been said to be able to create storms, kill creatures that it should not be able to harm, and even assassinate people. It was famous for being used in the attempt to slay King Arthur and was so feared that Sir Lancelot refused to even carry it.

Sword

5. The Sword of Orya, the Longsword of Heaven

The Chinese Emperor Fu Chien once held a competition, offering a prize of 100 gold bars to any man who could beat him in single combat. One man stepped forward and claimed victory, but after the duel, he refused to accept the reward. 

When asked who he was, he replied only that his name was Orya and that he had come from heaven with the sword given to him by Chang-O, goddess of the moon. He then vanished into thin air.

4. The Sword of the Father

The Sword of Eden, which was said to have been used in battle by a mysterious warrior named God, might seem like just another name for Thor's legendary weapon, Mjölnir. In fact, however, 

The Sword of the Father was actually a more powerful sword and is said to have given its wielder the power to command all creatures and even earn the love and respect of his enemies.

3. The Sword of Shannara

If Roland's gun belonged to a fantasy world rather than ours, the Manus Arcanum would be its equivalent: an incredibly powerful sword that can slay anyone or anything. Experts disagree on whether these famous swords are real or merely legend... but, if it is real, then it's a sword that wielders must truly fear.

Sword

2. Durendal

The Sword of Charlemagne was so powerful that its fame became synonymous with the name of Charlemagne himself until the story of Roland caused people to start referring to the blade as Durendal, which means "the edge of darkness". 

The sword was said to have been forged by Orfeo, and, like Excalibur and Durandal before it, it came to be seen as an object of worship by some. It was used by Charlemagne in his final battle against those fighting for freedom from his rule.

1. Naginata

The warrior who gained fame by slaying a dragon with a sword that was said to have come from the netherworld was none other than Nagi, the Phoenix. 

This sword, however, was not just any weapon: it was so closely tied to his soul that he could only use it in battle after drinking water from a sacred well. When he died his spirit rose to heaven where he pulled out this blade and used it against the evil demon who had taken his life. This is why it came to be known as Naginata, "the demon-slaying sword.

Historical Uses of Swords

A sword is a weapon that has had its use in warfare, hunting, and ceremonial knives. The use of the term "sword" can be ambiguous in the sense that its shape is not necessarily a blade that can cut through something.

The earliest artifacts of sword technology were found in the Indus River Valley Civilization where bronze swords with curved edges date back to as early as 3300 BC. The type of steel used to make these swords were called wrought iron or spathirine.

These famous swords are primarily associated with military use and have been present throughout most of recorded human history. Several cultures and civilizations have used swords, including the fabled knightly sword of the medieval period. 

As early as 3000 BC, the Egyptians were making swords; iron was hot-forged and then painstakingly sharpened to create a cutting edge. Swords remained an important weapon throughout history, until at least the beginning of the Renaissance, with their purpose changing slightly through time. 

By 1500 AD, swords began to be mass-produced on an industrial scale in Germany and Italy. By 1760 AD large-scale production had moved out of Europe to North America where they reached their peak in popularity during and after the American Civil War (1861–65).

The Popularity of Swords Today!

The whole idea of swords has been around since ancient times, but the popularity of these weapons today is diminishing. That popularity peaked after the second world war when the United States military was using them on a much larger scale than usual, which impacted the world to see that and then encourage their use in TV shows and movies like Star Wars or Lord of The Rings. 

With the popularity of these famous swords and a greater understanding of them, they then became less popular as more people realized what they looked like. Some people didn't like that idea, but in today's society, it can not be changed. Popularity has been declining for several different reasons.

Firstly, the style of swords may have something to do with it since they are no longer made with the intention of being used in combat. The types of swords generally used in military settings such as Civil War reenactments are very specific and can be dangerous if not handled properly. 

Swords like this may be popular within historical communities but are not suitable for novice users so these types of weapons just might not be the biggest fan base.